INDIANAPOLIS. Truck Bodies & Equipment International (TBEI) may not be a familiar name to many, but the companies that encompass the Minnesota-based corporation probably are. Crysteel Manufacturing, Ox Bodies, Rugby Manufacturing, and DuraClass Manufacturing are name brands in the vocational world of dump bodies. The four brands were joined together between 2005-2006 to form TBEI.
This week at the NTEA’s Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, TBEI brought together three of those companies to show off their latest products, including an innovative tailgate option for dump operators.
Across the respective company portfolios, vocational operators can find a range of products, including Class 3-8 dump bodies; Class 3-8 platform bodies; Class 7-8 grain bodies; dump trailers; Class 3-6 landscape bodies; military dump bodies; dump, conversion & trailer hoists; and specialty truck equipment & accessories.
Crysteel, which produces dump bodies ranging from 2 to 20 yards in addition to a full line of hoists, showed two products at the show – a redesigned A-Tipper and a new tailgate.
The A-Tipper is now available with aluminum, which makes it about 200 lbs. lighter than competitors, said Joe Paulson, general manager of the Lake Crysteel manufacturing plant.
A strong crossmemberless understructure with 8-in. longsills and a 1/4 integrated, tapered cabshield and minimal welds contributes to the weight reduction.
“We really redesigned this, revamped it and gave it a fresh look with aluminum,” said Paulson.
The lightweight aluminum also offers increased payload capacity, corrosion resistance and lower maintenance costs, the company said.
A new design feature is independent tailgate latching, and 3/8 in. stainless steel handle. The positive independent locking latches allow users to easily drop the tailgate, spreadthrough, or simply remove.
All Crysteel A-Tippers come standard with 3/16 in. aluminum construction, rigid sides with single panel reverse bend, tarp mounting provisions and integrated receivers, 6 in. board pockets, and LED lighting with one-piece wiring harness.
Crysteel offers a comprehensive, five-year warranty on all dump bodies and hoists, it said.
The company also debuted its new High ’N Slide tailgate.
The patented product offers traditional dump-through, sliding, and high-lift functionality in a single tailgate, the company noted. Through a simple mechanical adjustment, the tailgate switches from high-lift, with 21 in. of clearance, to sliding mode. Traditional dump-through is always available.
This allows operators to spread product over a larger area in a controlled manner. It also allows bulky items to be dumped without damaging the tailgate. It also provides easy access to mulch, asphalt, etc., without raising the dump body when shovel loads are required.
For dump fleets, particularly operators of single-axle dumps, DuraClass offers a line of tub body dumps that is designed to provide the benefits of larger dumps in a smaller package.
The HPT “Tub” body line features two models, the HPT-B1 and the HPT-B2. The smaller of the two, the HPT-B2, offers an open fender design, which decreases the opportunity for rust, said Steve McDonough, general manager of DuraClass Manufacturing in Tishomingo, MS.
The B2 is available in 10 and 11 ft. lengths in 3/16 in. AR400 carbon steel. Lengths of 14 to 18 ft. are available in 3/16 in. Hi-Tensile carbon steel. There is also an option for stainless steel.
“There are a lot of opportunities for this to become a municipal body for us where the B1 is a little heavier and larger,” McDonough said. The B2 is 250 lbs. lighter than the B1, he said.
The B1 features a closed fender design, and comes in 14- to 18-ft lengths in either carbon steel or stainless steel. The HPT-B1 has capacity ranges from 10- to 20-yard.
Both models feature a semi-elliptical body using high tensile steels, crossmemberless understructure, and a body sidewall without extra bracing.
Rugby Manufacturing put its recently redesigned Rancher bodies on display. Changes included a narrower, tapered bulkhead for improved visibility. There is also a B&W Turnoverball hitch that allows for a flat surface with no cutouts in the floor.
Built with black powder-coated 12-gauge steel, the Rancher is ideal for a number of applications, said Ray Salley, general manager of Rugby. Among those is oil field work as users, typically operating Class 3-5 vehicles, use the Rancher body to move equipment.
The body also features outside stake pockets with tie rails on the sides and rear and a built-in receiver hitch is standard on cab chassis models.
Rugby also produces dump bodies, landscape bodies, platforms and related equipment. All its products feature a three-year warranty.
Salley added that a heavy duty version of the Rancher will be out later this year. The Rancher HD will include all the standard features plus additional structural support.
All Rugby Rancher bodies feature 12 gauge tread plate steel floor and smooth steel rear apron with light cut-outs; 4 in. structural channel long sills; 3 in., 10-gauge formed cross sills. Additionally, the bulkhead features a brake light, 1 center cargo lamp and 2 brake lights.
